NPA releases Alex Boncayao Brigade member on Christmas Day

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – On Christmas Day, December 25, members of the New People’s Army (NPA) released a member of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade in Moises Padilla town.

Cirilo Bagnoran, 42, was freed by the Leonardo Panaligan Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) at their detachment in Barangay Macahagay in Moises Padilla, 15 days after he was abducted in La Castellana town.

On December 10, 50 or so members of the NPA attacked the cock farm where Bagnoran works. The farm, at Hacienda Jamandre, Barangay Robles in La Castellena town, is owned by RPA-ABB leader Rene “Maco” Europa.

Europa was able to escape the NPA attack.

Both Bagnoran and Europa are tagged in the 2012 murders of Cristie Florendia and Elmer Macurba in different Negros towns.

Ka Heneroso Silong, chief of the People’s Court of the NPA, said that the release of Bagnoran came after the latter was acquitted from all criminal charges. Bagnoran’s acquittal, he added, went through a process.

Bagnoran, an investigative team found out, was not part of the killings since he was confined at a hospital. He also did not receive any compensation from a politician to kill Florendia.

Bagnoran would later say in a media interview that he would be leaving the RPA-ABB since it is one of the conditions of his release. He also insisted that the NPA did not hurt him during his time in captivity.

Early this week, Bagnoran’s wife, Mildred, and their children had sought the help of various government agencies and non-governmental organizations to help facilitate his release.

A serious illegal detention complaint against the NPA was filed by Bagnoran’s family before the Commission on Human Rights on Monday, December 21.

On Tuesday, the family met with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr to ask for his help. The governor also called on the rebels to release Bagnoran in the spirit of Christmas. – Rappler.com